Top Temples

  The 12 Jyotirlingas in India are 

• Somnath – Gir Somnath In Gujarat
• Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
• Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra
• Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra
• Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra
• Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand
• Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain In Madhya Pradesh
• Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
• Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh
• Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand
• Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island In Tamil Nadu
• Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh

1.Somanatha :- Viraval Port, Prabhas (Town), Saurashtra, Kathiawar, Gujarat - it is known as Prabhas Kshetra. Sthalapurana says that this lingam was consecrated by the moon. 

2.Mallikarjuna :- Srisailam, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh - here krishna river is described as patalaganga. This kshetra is one of the Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas. It was here that Adi Shankaracharya wrote Sivanandalahari. Here the goddess is Bhramaramba Devi. 

3. Mahakala :- (Avanti) Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh - is located on the banks of the Kshipra river. The city has 7 Sagara Theerthas, 28 Tirthas, 84 Siddha Lingas, 30 Shivalingas, Ashta Bhairavas, Ekadasarudras, hundreds of shrines of deities and Jalakundam. 

4. Omkareshwar Amalashvara :- Mamaleshwaram, Madhya Pradesh - situated on the banks of the Narmada (Rewa) river. Here the same lingam is divided into two halves and is worshipped by two names. Amma is Annapurna. 

5. Vaidyanatha (Amriteshwara) - Parli (Kantipur), Deoghar, Bihar - located near the rivers Brahma, Venu and Saraswati. Sahyadri is on the edge of the hills. It is believed that after amritmadhana, dhanvantari and amrita are hidden in this linga and the devotees who have created it will get the nectar.  

6. Bhimashankara:- Dakini, Bhuvanagiri district, at Pune, Maharashtra - on the banks of the Chandrabhaga (Bhima) river, at the Bhimashankara mountains - is the place where Lord Shiva rested after the destruction of Tripurapura. Amma is Kamalaja devi. There are also shrines of Sakini and Dhakini. There is a pot of moksha and a pot of knowledge. 

7. Rameswaram :- Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu - The place where Lord Ram worshipped Lord Shiva - Kashi After bringing ganga water to Rameswaram and offering it, it is customary to mix the sand of Rameswaram again with Kashi. Here the Goddess is Parvatavardhini Devi. 

8. Nageswara (Naganatha) :- (Darukavanam) at Dwarka, Maharashtra - This Jyotirlinga is said to be in the three places of Dwarka, Oudhgram and Almora (Uttar Pradesh). 

9. Kashi Vishwanatha :- also known as Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Kashi - the place where the rivers Varuna and Asi meet in the River Ganga - Parampavana Theertham - here the Goddess is Annapurneshwari.

 10. Trimbakeshwar :- Nasik, Maharashtra - on the banks of Gautami - the lingam here looks like a small pit in which there are three small (thumb-like) lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Amma is Kolhambika. There is a temple of Goddess Ganga. Kushavarta Theertham, Gangadhara Theertham and Varaha Theertham are important. Simhastha Parva, which takes place once in 12 years, is a big festival. 

11. Kedareshwar :- in the Himalayas, garhwal district, Uttar Pradesh - near the Mandakini river due to snow this temple is open for darshan only for six months a year. 

12. Grushneshwara (Kusumeshwara) :- Verulnagar, aurangabad at Ellora caves, Maharashtra (also said to be the Jyotirlinga in Devagiri)

India is known for its rich religious and cultural heritage, and is home to some of the most beautiful and significant temples in the world. Here are some of the most famous Indian temples:

1. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (or pillars of light) that represent the divine manifestation of Lord Shiva.

                     

2. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is a stunning example of South Indian temple architecture. It is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (a form of Shiva) and is known for its intricately carved gopurams (gateway towers).

3. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. It is famous for its stunning golden dome, which reflects beautifully in the surrounding pool of water. The temple is open to people of all faiths and is known for its hospitality and community service.

4. The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the finest examples of Dravidian temple architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for its towering vimana (tower) and intricate sculptures.

5. The Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu are a group of Jain temples known for their stunning marble carvings and intricate architecture. The temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries and are dedicated to the Jain tirthankaras (spiritual leaders).

These are just a few examples of the many beautiful temples in India. Each temple has its own unique history, significance, and architectural style, making them an essential part of India's rich cultural heritage.